Last week we learned the frightening news that former Playgirl model and current fame whore Levi Johnston is planning to run for political office in order to film a new reality TV show. Today, we learn that Johnston is getting a little bit of help getting his campaign off the ground. Slate has put together a cheeky video commercial to help Levi Johnston in his bid to become the mayor of the city of Wasilla, Alaska:

With Levi Johnston considering a run for mayor of Wasilla, Alaska, Slate V imagines what one of his campaign ads might look like.

This video, it’s brilliant. And, to be honest, not entirely derogatory. Sure, Johnston may not really run his campaign on the fact that he got (mostly) nekkid for Playgirl but this clip isn’t half bad. Check it out in full, after the jump …

Last week Wyclef Jean officially announced his candidacy for the office of President of Haiti and over the weekend he launched a viral video campaign called Fas A Fas to drum up grassroots support for his bid for office. Here are a few screencaps from the first video released from this new campaign:

The clip is short … and kinda pointless. There isn’t much of a message nor is there anything to really see. The video shows Wyclef arriving in Haiti and then crowds of people chanting Fas A Fas and then … I think we see Wyclef addressing the crowd (tho we can’t hear or see him very well) and then the clip is over. HMMM. After the jump, check out the clip in full and see for yourselves …

As if the State of Alaska hasn’t suffered enough by enduring the political influence of former Alaska governor Sarah Palin … here comes news that babydaddy to her Palin‘s grandchild, almost son-in-law and Playgirl model Levi Johnston is planning a run for the office of mayor of the city of Wasilla, AK. Wasilla, as you may know, is the city that Palin was mayor of before she successfully ran for the governorship of the State … now, it would seem, that Johnston is looking to follow in her political footsteps:

Johnston’s manager, Tank Jones, on Monday confirmed a report on Variety magazine’s website that Johnston is planning to run for city office in his hometown of Wasilla, Alaska, as part of a reality TV show. Wasilla is where Palin got her start in politics, moving up from City Council to mayor before winning election as Alaska’s governor in 2006. Jones said Johnston is serious about a run, either for mayor or City Council. “Let me put it to you like this: If you live in a town and things are happening in that town, and you’re displeased with it, what do you do? You try to change those things,” Jones said. He declined to give specifics on what Johnston wants to change but insisted the run is real. “This is not a spoof. This is not a joke,” Jones said. According to the Wasilla city clerk, the next mayoral election is in 2011. The candidate filing period for council elections this October closed July 30. Johnston isn’t listed among those candidates. Wasilla’s outspoken current mayor, Verne Rupright, was at a meeting Monday and didn’t immediately return a call seeking comment … Asked whether he believed people would take Johnston’s run for office seriously, with TV cameras rolling, Jones said: “People questioned Jesus Christ, so I definitely don’t care about these mere mortals questioning Levi Johnston. “People can question whatever they want. I mean, he’s going to keep on doing his thing,” he said. “He was going to do this, even if this wasn’t a reality show.”

Are you effing SERIOUS? Did this moron just compare Levi Johnston to JESUS CHRIST? You know, I used to be marginally entertained by the fame whoring idiocy of Levi Johnston but this farce of a “campaign” for political office is outright insulting. If we’ve learned anything from Levi Johnston‘s behavior it’s that he will do anything — ANYTHING — for a little attention. If it means he will nab a few headlines by threatening to destroy the political process with his selfish and disgusting plea for attention, then it looks like he would do it without a second thought. I’m telling you, I’m not a fan of the Palin family but not even they deserve to be saddled with this moron as part of their family. Here’s hoping the good people of Alaska — as well as the rest of the country, for that matter — will never, ever have to endure any political influence by Levi “Ricky Hollywood” Johnston.

[Photo credit: Playgirl; Source]

Solicitor General Elena Kagan, who was nominated by President Barack Obama back in May to serve on the US Supreme Court after Justice John Paul Stevens announced that he will be retiring from the Supreme Court this year, has just been officially confirmed to the court by a US Senate vote of 63 to 37. Her confirmation makes Kagan the 4th woman to serve on the US Supreme Court and she will become the third woman to serve on the court at the same time with Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg and Justice Sonya Sotomayor who, you may recall, was confirmed to the Supreme Court a year ago this week:

The Senate confirmed Elena Kagan to a seat on the Supreme Court on Thursday, giving President Obama his second appointment to the high court in a year, and a political victory as the Senate neared the end of its business for the summer. Ms. Kagan, a former dean of the Harvard Law School and a legal adviser in both the Clinton and Obama administrations, was approved by a vote of 63 to 37 after hearings and floor debate that showcased competing views of Democrats and Republicans about the court, but exposed no significant stumbling blocks to her confirmation. She becomes the fourth woman ever named to the court, and will join two other woman currently serving, including Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the first Obama administration nominee, who was confirmed almost exactly one year ago. “Her qualifications, intelligence, temperament and judgment will make her a worthy successor to Justice John Paul Stevens,” Senator Patrick J. Leahy, Democrat of Vermont and chairman of the Judiciary Committee, said of Ms. Kagan. Five Republicans joined 56 Democrats and two independents in supporting the nomination; 36 Republicans and one Democrat, Senator Ben Nelson of Nebraska, opposed her. In a sign of the import of the moment, senators were asked to record their votes from their desks. At age 50, Ms. Kagan could have a long tenure on the court, but her confirmation is not seen as significantly altering the current, closely divided ideological makeup of the court, which is often split 5-4 on major decisions.

Yay! Another day, another advancement forward for the United States of America. For the first time ever, 3 women will serve on the US Supreme Court at the same time. Despite the criticism hurled at her by her detractors, the soon to be sworn in Justice Kagan managed to pass her confirmation hearings with flying colors. I have no doubt at all that Elena Kagan will serve her country honestly and honorably as the newest Justice on the US Supreme Court. As we learned yesterday, the issue of same-sex marriage will eventually make its way to the Supreme Court and, goodness willing, Kagan will be one of the justices to rule on the matter. Despite the fact that her confirmation will not change the ideological make-up of the court, it’s always good to have a friend on the court. Congratulations, Elena Kagan … here’s to a long and honorable tenure on the US Supreme Court.

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For the past few weeks there have been rumors going around that singer/songwriter Wyclef Jean was considering a run for the Haitian presidency … this week, Jean has confirmed to Time magazine that he is officially running for the office:

Days before the Aug. 7 deadline, Haitian-American superstar Wyclef Jean has confirmed to Time.com that he will run for President of Haiti in this year’s Nov. 28 election. “If not for the earthquake, I probably would have waited another 10 years before doing this,” Jean said. “If I can’t take five years out to serve my country as President…then everything I’ve been singing about, like equal rights, doesn’t mean anything.”

You can read the entirety of Time‘s coverage of Wyclef Jean‘s decision to run for the Haitian presidency HERE … trust me, it’s an interesting read. When I first heard about this Wyclef for President talk I immediately thought, Yeah, what a great idea! But the more I think about it, the more I have to wonder if Jean is up for the job of running a nation. Based on his qualifications as a musician, it sounds like he has zero experience in politics. It’s one thing to let one’s love for one’s homeland inspire them to run for office but is he really capable of doing the job if he gets elected? To his credit, Wyclef orchestrated a huge movement to raise funds for and awareness of the deadly earthquake that struck Haiti earlier this year but, in all honesty, not even that is proof that he is able to lead the country as president. I absolutely believe that Wycelf loves Haiti and his heart is in the right place … but I’m not at all convinced that he is quite ready to take the reigns and become president of Haiti. What do y’all think … can he do the job? Do you think he should even be in the running for the Haitian presidency?

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Congratulations are in order for Chelsea Clinton, the former First Daughter who grew up in the White House before our eyes thruout the 90′s, and the love of her life Marc Mezvinsky … they went and tied the knot in a lavish wedding ceremony in Rhinebeck, NY yesterday afternoon. As you may recall, we learned last November that Chelsea and Marc were engaged to be wed and earlier this week we saw photos of Chelsea running around NY in the most conspicuous outfit while attempting to run errands in an inconspicuous way. Yesterday, in front of 400 of the couple’s closest family and friends, Chelsea and Marc said their I Dos and happily became husband and wife:

Surrounded by 400 friends, and her parents Bill and Hillary (who wore Oscar de la Renta), the former First Daughter, 30, wed her longtime boyfriend Marc Mezvinsky, 32, in Rhinebeck, N.Y., on Saturday. She wore a dress designed by Vera Wang, a family friend, who was also in attendance. Shortly after the ceremony, President Clinton and Secretary of State Clinton released a statement.

“Today, we watched with great pride and overwhelming emotion as Chelsea and Marc wed in a beautiful ceremony at Astor Courts, surrounded by family and their close friends. We could not have asked for a more perfect day to celebrate the beginning of their life together, and we are so happy to welcome Marc into our family. On behalf of the newlyweds, we want to give special thanks to the people of Rhinebeck for welcoming us and to everyone for their well-wishes on this special day.”

The guest list was relatively free of star wattage (without Oprah Winfrey or President Obama) but included Mary Steenburgen, former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, actor Ted Danson, film producer Steven Bing, and a handful of congressmen and other prominent Democrats. According to The New York Times, the interfaith ceremony was conducted by Rabbi James Ponet and the Rev. William Shillady. (Chelsea is Methodist; Marc is Jewish) … Clinton and Mezvinsky, an investment banker who has kept a private life, have been pals since they met at a conference in 1993, and they remained close at Stanford University. But only in 2005 did their friendship turn romantic, when they debuted as a couple at the opening of Tao nightclub in Las Vegas. They have lived together in recent years in a downtown New York apartment, along with their Yorkshire terrier Soren. As for kids, “I’m not going to put any pressure on her,” Hillary told PEOPLE in 2007. “But my friends are starting to have grandchildren and it’s a great experience, so I look forward to it someday.”

To be honest, considering that Chelsea‘s father was a 2 term president of the United States of America and her mother is the current US Secretary of State, this wedding ceremony sounds like it was a quiet affair … which doesn’t surprise me in the least. Chelsea Clinton has always kept a low profile despite the fame that came with being the First Daughter and she has managed to life her life with grace and class. It’s very cool, IMHO, to see her married to the man she loves … all growed up. She looks absolutely stunning in her Vera Wang dress and I couldn’t be happier for her and Marc. Let’s send our warmest congratulations to Chelsea and Marc on the their happy nuptials and wish them a long and very blissful life together.

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Chelsea Clinton, the only begotten child of US President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, is about to get hitched to her fiancée and longtime boyfriend Marc Mezvinsky this coming Saturday and was spotted running around NYC taking care of a few last minute things before her big day this weekend. It appears that Chelsea tried to run her errands in disguise but nothing draws attention to someone trying to appear invisible than a long black trench coat and matching black hat:

It’s so strange to think that the former first daughter who we watched grow up in the White House thruout the 90′s is ready to be a bride. I always thought that maybe she might make a run for public office at some point in her life so maybe getting married is the first step towards that goal. Whatever the future holds for her professionally, I sincerely hope her personal life is filled with nothing but bliss and happiness. I also hope she decides to ditch the silly disguise as the week progresses … the media is going to be on her 24/7 until she gets hitched, there’s no sense in trying to disappear now.

[Photo credit: INFdaily]

First Lady Michelle Obama, her daughters Malia and Sasha, her mother Marian Robinson and some friends were spotted chillin’ in a skybox at the Staples Center in downtown LA last night for Game 6 of the NBA Finals featuring the LA Lakers vs. the Boston Celtics. The Obama ladies have been in town since Sunday, hittin’ up a few famous eateries, and surprised everyone by showing up at the game last night:

The President of the United States might be the basketball player in the family. But it was the Obama women who turned out en masse as surprise attendees at the Lakers V Boston Celtics last night. First Lady Michelle Obama, 46, daughters Sasha, 9, Malia, 11, and Mrs Obama’s mother Marian Robinson, 72, pitched up at Game 6 of the intensely competitive NBA Finals. While the games typically attract a huge celebrity turnout, all of Hollywood were abuzz with the news that the Obama ladies were in town. All eyes were on the group as they enjoyed the penultimate game in the series between the sporting superstars from a private box at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Even the presence of Cheryl Cole’s mentor and rumoured new love will.i.am in their box, also intensely watching the game, couldn’t shift the limelight from the group who were being openly filmed by many spectators on their mobile phones. Mrs Obama was presented with a Lakers jersey by a club official, and fans clamoured to talk to the First Lady who seemed more than happy to accommodate them … Mrs Obama watched the Los Angeles Lakers extend the NBA finals to a decisive seventh game with a 89-67 victory over the Boston Celtics.

Of course the nation’s First Ladies weren’t the only big names in the hiz showing their support for the Lakers, a bunch of celebs were also spotted at the Staples Center last night to cheer on the Lakers … who went on to DESTROY the Celtics by a score of 89-67! Here are some of the other celebs who were at the game last night along with some deets:

Dirrrty singer Christina Aguilera sang the US national anthem, and the rest of the evening’s entertainment was taken up by watching both the game, and the anguished looks of the assembled celebrities. Courtside regulars included Jack Nicholson, Spike Lee, David Arquette, Leonardo DiCaprio and Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs. Transformers star Megan Fox hid under her baseball cap as she arrived with boyfriend Brian Austin Green, and married actors Josh Brolin and Diane Lane were in the arena. While British socialite Peaches Geldof made an appearance with director boyfriend Eli Roth at the event which is the showbiz town’s hottest ticket this week. Defending champions the Lakers forced the Celtics to the limit for the first time since 2005. Star player Kobe Bryant said: ‘I was very happy. We did a great job defensively. ‘We kept them out of the middle, kept them out of the paint, did a good job on the boards. It was a solid effort by us.’ A champion will be crowned Thursday night at Staples Center. The First Lady, her daughters and her mother have been in town since Sunday, enjoying dinner at a number of top eateries and stopping by legendary hot dog stand Pink’s before watching Tuesday night’s game.

Oh man, what a game … actually, it wasn’t really a game so much as it was a COMPLETE BLOW OUT! The Lakers dominated the entire game and looked like they could not be stopped. The Lakers will face the Celtics for the 7th and final game on Thursday night here in LA … the winner will be the 2010 NBA Champs. I’m pretty certain that most of the celebs featured here, save for the Obamas, will be in attendance tomorrow night for the final game of the championship series. Here’s hoping the Lakers can put on a repeat performance of last night’s incredible game. Woot!!

[Photo credit: Wireimage; Source]

Former Vice President Al Gore and his wife of 40 years Tipper Gore have announced via email to friends that they have decided to end their marriage. The email made its way to the political blog Politico, which is how news of the split was made public. Sad but ture, Al and Tipper are dunzo, y’all!

Al and Tipper Gore, whose playful romance enlivened Washington and the campaign trail for a quarter century, have decided to separate after 40 years of marriage, the couple told friends Tuesday. In an “Email from Al and Tipper Gore,” the couple said:

“We are announcing today that after a great deal of thought and discussion, we have decided to separate. This is very much a mutual and mutually supportive decision that we have made together following a process of long and careful consideration. We ask for respect for our privacy and that of our family, and we do not intend to comment further.”

The e-mail was obtained by POLITICO and confirmed by Kalee Kreider of the office of Al and Tipper Gore. Kreider said there would be no further comment … The Gores, who have four children and live in Tennessee, marked their 40th wedding anniversary two weeks ago. The Gores both grew up in the Washington area. They met at a high-school graduation dance and were married at the National Cathedral on May 19, 1970, according to Tipper Gore’s White House biography.

Aww … this is really sad news, I think. 40 years of marriage is a pretty impressive accomplishment … that the couple would decide to separate so soon after their 40th anniversary is just … sad. We may never know the reason for the split (tho, if something of an infidelitous sort occurred we are likely to catch wind of it soon enough) but it’s just a damn shame that 40 years together had to end in an email announcement to friends.

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Kathy Griffin was on hand in Washington DC to appear at a planned protest at the White House to demand the repeal of the US Military’s Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy which bans gays from openly serving in the armed forces. Famed gay rights activist, Lt. Dan Choi decided to team up with Kathy at today’s protest to ensure that their message be heard … Choi took things a bit further by handcuffing himself to the gates of the White House, resulting in his immediate arrest. Here are photos and deets from today’s DC protest:

In an act of civil disobedience, Lt. Dan Choi and Jim Pietrangelo have been arrested at the White House gates on Thursday while protesting the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy. Following a Human Rights Campaign rally for DADT repeal in Washington earlier today, Choi and Pietrangelo led about 100 protesters to the White House, where the two then proceeded to handcuff themselves to the gates. Choi was speaking at the HRC rally at Freedom Plaza when he asked the group’s executive director, Joe Solmonese, if he would also march to the White House. Pietrangelo was discharged from the military under DADT, while Choi’s discharge is pending. Choi is the founder of Knights Out, a West Point alumni organization supporting LGBT soldiers. “You’ve been told that the White House has a plan,” Choi told rally attendees. “But we learned this week that the president is still not fully committed. … Following this rally, I will be leading [the protest] to the White House to say ‘enough talk.’ … I am still standing, I am still fighting, I am still speaking out, and I am still gay.” Police officers had blocked the gates of the White House with yellow tape and pushed back the protesters, who were chanting DADT repeal slogans and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. Kathy Griffin, who was in Washington at the behest of HRC to meet with members of Congress about DADT repeal, was also at the rally. When asked by Choi if she would march with him to the White House, Griffin responded, “Of course!” Neither Griffin nor Solmonese was seen at the White House protest, however. The HRC has released the following statement on the rally: “Today more than 1,000 people showed up at a rally — 500 of which signed up to become more involved in the fight to repeal ‘don’t ask, don’t tell.’ Joe Solmonese along with [gay Iraq war veteran] Eric Alva and others felt it was important to stay and engage those at the rally in ways they can continue building the pressure needed for repeal. This does nothing to diminish the actions taken by Lt. Choi and others. This is the nature of social change and everyone has a role to play.” Gay rights activist Robin McGehee was also arrested after she had apparently helped the two discharged soldiers handcuff themselves to the fence. An officer who arrested McGehee said “I can’t say anything” on why she was taken into custody.

Clearly, Lt. Choi — who has been speaking out on the repeal of DADT for many months now — felt that this act of civil disobedience was the only way to make sure his message is heard. It’s acts of protest like this that make up much of the US history of civil rights and I can’t help but be impressed by the commitment it takes to take a stand like this for the greater good. It is far too soon to tell if today’s protest will have any effect on whether or not the DADT policy gets repealed but today’s protest will surely go down in the annals of the history of gay rights in this country. I sincerely hope that Choi‘s efforts today will result in the eventual repeal of the DADT policy. We’ll just have to see if the powers that be will respond favorably. What do y’all think of today’s protest in DC?

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